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Welcome to our blog. Here you’ll find contributions from local historians and experts on the subject of Staffordshire’s involvement in the Great War, and on the commemorative events taking place throughout the County.

Freda: The respected and admired NZRB regimental mascot

In late September 1917, prior to its move from Tidworth Pennings near Salisbury to Brocton Camp on Cannock Chase in Staffordshire, the 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade was reviewed by its founder, The Duke of Connaught (King George V’s uncle). His visit was reported in the Chronicles of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force; the article…

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Cavalry and the Bakery on the Chase

When the two World War I army camps were set up on the high, open heathland of Cannock Chase, they were each able to accommodate 20,000 troops. There successive intakes, mainly of recruits, underwent training before being posted to the Western Front. By the time hostilities had ended on 11th November 1918, it is estimated…

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Evelyn Slater : Hut Volunteer, Cannock Chase

I was born in Cannock and moved to Huntington when I was 1 year old. As children we roamed the Chase, Shoal Hill & Cavan’s Wood, which was at the end of our garden. After I left school I worked for British Coal for 18 years then when the pits closed I worked in South…

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Brindley village (Cannock Chase Military Camps Project)

Brindley Village came into existence in late 1924 when the West Cannock 5 Colliery bought what had been the Ministry of Pensions Hospital in Brindley Heath. Some of the buildings, specifically the six surgical wards were removed as well as other ancillary offices. Some of the fittings were used to equip the huts to create…

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Dismantling the camp (Cannock Chase Military Camps Project)

In 1920, the camps were dismantled and Cannock Chase returned to Lord Lichfield. Huts were sold off and became homes, shops, workshops, village halls and more. One hut became a family bungalow in Brocton and was lived in until 2010. The Great War Hut at Marquis Drive was the Parish Hall in Gayton (about 10miles…

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Diaries and Visitor Books (Cannock Chase Military Camps Project)

Diary entries for local people tell us about the relationship between those living around the camps and those staying on them. A diary written by Mrs EH Whitehouse, Clonskeagh, Bridgtown, Cannock 1916 (now Bridgetown Social and Working Men’s Club). Mrs Whitehouse was the wife of William Whitehouse of Whitehouse Brothers, edge tool manufacturers of Bridgtown.…

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Postcards Home (Cannock Chase Military Camps Project)

Postcards from soldiers to loved ones at home help us to understand how they may have been feeling whilst staying on the camp. Some cards sent in the winter months contain complaints about the weather and boredom up on ‘the moors’: ‘You might tell Louise I want some chilblain lotion as it is mighty cold…

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Autograph Books (Cannock Chase Military Camps Project)

During the 20th Century, autograph books were very popular. This autograph book belonged to Miss Sylvia Harris who during the war worked as the secretary to the area manager of the Navy and Army Canteen Board in the offices of the Central Grocery Depot at Rugeley camp. The camp employed many local people and Sylvia,…

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News Archives

  • Nicholson War Memorial
  • Freda: The respected and admired NZRB regimental mascot
  • Cavalry and the Bakery on the Chase
  • Evelyn Slater : Hut Volunteer, Cannock Chase
  • Brindley village (Cannock Chase Military Camps Project)
  • Dismantling the camp (Cannock Chase Military Camps Project)
  • Brocton Prisoner of War Camp 1917-19 (Cannock Chase Military Camps Project)
  • Diaries and Visitor Books (Cannock Chase Military Camps Project)
  • Postcards Home (Cannock Chase Military Camps Project)
  • Autograph Books (Cannock Chase Military Camps Project)